Canine Freestyle

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

A couple of years ago I was browsing youtube (at work, shhhh) relaxing and killing time ... and I stumbled across this dance routine performed by a woman and her Golden Retriever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbVbPvlDoM

From there I wandered off to this one, with a Border Collie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e01RFf9Tr5w

And on to the incomparable Mary Ray and her amazing routines, such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlDtArfqT_Y. Two dogs? Three?!

After watching these videos I was grinning ear to ear. And then I saw this one, the one that left me gasping and misty-eyed, chills running down my spine (literally!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sknEaZHHbhc  (more videos of Tina and Chandi here: http://tinaandchandi.com/dressage-dog/)

What struck me the most in all of these videos was the level of communication between dog and owner, and the pure joy on their faces while they worked together. I knew then that THIS is what I want to do! (Step one: Kick this fat body into some kind of shape *sigh*)

Anyway, I found myself watching them again this evening ... sighing ... smiling ... nodding ... knowing that Lachlan will enjoy it as much as I will ... reaffirming my desire to try it ... dancing with my dog ... more than merely metaphorically.

[Ken Seversen]

I've seen the golden before and it always amazes me.   So much love to get it so trained.  Thanks for posting it and now on to the Border (I've had both breeds of dogs and both are wonderful though I found it almost scary the way the Border could read my mind!)

[Melody & Bruin]

Wow - these are great

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

LOL@Sherri! Doesn't that just conjure an image! Hey, I wonder if we could teach our cats Freestyle?!

Jane, there's a trainer here locally who offers a course every year in the early spring and I've bought a book on the basics. The biggest challenge I have right now is my own physical shape ... pretty sure I'd have to teach Lachlan how to speed-dial 911 first if I tried it right now! *grin* (Having said that, it suddenly occurs to me that this might be a great way to get INTO shape!)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree....this looks like so much fun.  I'd love to try it too, but I think I'd need a class, and I haven't been able to find one locally.  Please let us know if you really decide to try this!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh my gosh, this opens up a whole new world for me. this could be the big career move I've been looking for. Sophie, Winston and the Kitty in show biz! We'd take the world by storm!! LOL.

 

seriously, I love the videos, especially the first one. How cute are they, and how incredible it is to bond with your dog that way. They look like they are having so much fun!

 

I  think you should go for it Jen! Lachlan will have a blast!